Lights, cameras, action for film festival

Screening over 35 movies from young film makers all over Ireland, as well as classics from the world of cinema, Mullingar's newest festival - the Young Filmmakers Festival 2010, begins on Monday and runs until Wednesday, May 19.Attracting schools as far away as Cork to Donegal, Dublin to Clare, this unique initiative by the students of Mullingar Community College, headed up by teacher Joe Rayfus, is set to put the town on the map for this rapidly growing art form.In conjunction with Westmeath VEC, the Young Filmmakers Festival will feature something for everyone, including ten feature screenings, which starts with a special showing of Martin Scorsese's "Shutter Island", starring Leonardo DiCaprio, which will be screened in the 'Cinemobile' at the Mullingar Arts Centre car park.As well as the young film makers competition, a series of workshops and seminars provided by leading industry professionals will take place in the Mullingar Community College, which cover everything from screenwriting to special effects make-up, to digital editing.There will also be a Film College Exhibition open to young and old alike and offers the opportunity to gain any information on further education in any area of film. So whether it's general film-making or a specialist area in film, you'll find all the answers at the 'Film College Expo'.As a national event, the 'Young Film-maker Festival' aims to provide a forum to showcase the work of some of Ireland's best young filmmakers while also providing a platform for anyone with an interest in film, to experience some of the best examples of cinema from past and present while also having the opportunity to develop the skills required by the film-maker.The semi finals of the 'Young Filmmaker Short Film Competition' will take place on Monday, May 17 in the Mullingar Arts Centre from 10am.There are two main categories, under 18's and under 14's. The top ten will be selected for a second screening on the morning of Tuesday, May 18.The winners will be announced at the 'Young Film-maker Festival' Awards ceremony at 2pm on Tuesday in the Arts Centre.Workshops at Mullingar Community College:Monday 10am - 1pm, Animation Workshop with Craig Fish, €7 per person, Monday 2pm - 3.30pm Film Production Seminar with Ciaran Hennessy (Irish Film Locations & Bogman Films) €3 per person.Tuesday 10am - 1pm Special Effects Make-Up Workshop from the LA Make-Up Academy €7 per person, Tuesday 2pm - 3.30pm Directing For Film Seminar with Patrick Butler €3 per person.Wednesday 10am - 1pm Script Writing Workshop with Noel Farrell €7 per person, Wednesday 2pm - 3.30pm Digital Editing Seminar with Aishling Muller €3 per person.Feature Presentations at cinemobile:Monday, May 17Billy Elliot (15A) 9.30am, Genre Comedy/Drama;Entre les Murs/The Class (12 A) 11.45am French language with English subtitles, Genre DramaWaveriders (G) 2.15pm Genre DocumentaryShutter Island (15A) 7.30pmTuesday, May 18My Sister's Keeper (15A) 9.30am Genre DramaThe Secret of Kells (PG) 12.00pm, Genre Animation adventureThe Boy in the Stripped Pyjamas ( 12A) 1.45pm Genre DramaWednesday, May 19A Series of Shorts featuring: 9.30amYu Ming Is Anim DomMoore Street MasalaLipserviceGranny O' Grimm's Sleeping BeautyAlso showing 'Blackmail' 2009 (LCA FILMS MULLINGAR COMMUNITY COLLEGE) and 'The Penny Drops' 2004 (JAMEBO FILMS)The Secret of Kells (PG) 11.30amNosferatu 2.00pm Genre: Horror the original vampire movie.Places for the workshops and cinemobile are limited, so booking is essential. Simply contact The Young Film-maker festival on 044 9345450 or by emailing youngfilmmakerfestival@gmail.com